A recent poll conducted by CNN and SSRS indicates that a majority of Americans consider a fatal shooting involving an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agent in Minneapolis an inappropriate use of force and believe ICE enforcement operations reduce city safety. The survey also highlights shifting public sentiment regarding former President Donald Trump's deportation policies and reveals partisan divisions on these issues.
Poll Methodology and Key Findings
The CNN/SSRS poll was conducted from January 9 to 12. Key findings from the survey include:
- Fatal Shooting Incident: 56% of Americans viewed the fatal shooting of Minneapolis resident Renee Good by an immigration officer as an inappropriate use of force, while 26% considered it appropriate. Approximately 51% of respondents suggested the incident reflects broader systemic issues within ICE's operational practices.
- City Safety and ICE Actions: 51% of Americans believe ICE's enforcement operations contribute to cities being less safe. In contrast, 31% think these operations enhance security, and an additional 18% reported little effect either way.
- Deportation Policies: 52% of Americans perceive former President Trump's deportation efforts as having gone too far. This figure marks an increase from 45% in February of the previous year.
Partisan Perspectives
The poll revealed significant differences in opinion along political lines:
- Democrats: Over 80% of Democrats and Democratic-leaning independents described the shooting as inappropriate and a symptom of larger problems, also asserting that ICE enforcement diminishes city safety.
- Republicans: Among Republican-aligned adults, 67% viewed ICE enforcement as making cities safer, and 56% considered the shooting appropriate.
- Independents: Independents not aligned with either party generally opposed ICE's actions, with over half believing ICE enforcement reduces city safety and that the shooting signifies systemic operational issues.
Public Trust and Approval
Additional findings from the poll addressed public trust and approval ratings:
- Only 37% of the public expressed substantial trust in the federal government to conduct a fair investigation into the shooting incident.
- 38% of respondents approved of Kristi Noem's performance as Secretary of Homeland Security.
- Former President Trump's approval rating on immigration saw a decline, from 51% in March to 42% in recent months, according to the poll.
Contextual Information
A photograph from January 13 depicted individuals dispersing after federal agents deployed a flash-bang grenade during a protest in Hennepin County, Minnesota.